University of Houston graffiti project beautifies part of I-45

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Graffiti is typically frowned upon, but for one class of art students at University of Houston, painting an I-45 underpass is part of a special assignment to help beautify one busy intersection.

"It's different than what we normally do," said Camilo Monroy, one of the students participating in the project.

Monroy and classmate Meliza Resendiz competed against their peers for the chance to give the Cullen underpass a face-lift. Their winning design and color scheme represented Houston communities that use the space including University of Houston, East Downtown, the Third Ward, and Eastwood.

"A lot of those people use this intersection, so we thought it would be a great way to tie in those communities because we all have this in common," said famed Houston graffiti artist Gonzo 247.